2024 - Issue 116
A fascinating look back at 50-year-old erotica, 67-year-old nails and a 130-year-old landmark.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter to find out what didn’t make the cut.
Is anything more visually soothing than the most famous colour of them all, Yves Klein’s International Klein Blue? How about the rhythmic wave-like patterns created by Günther Uecker using hammer and nails? These vastly different approaches to abstract art sit comfortably together like a family in harmony in a stunning, Victorian reception room. The two artists were in-laws (Klein married Uecker’s sister) and their London summer family reunion is open to everyone but it’s a BYOB kind of party if you want to do more than just look. (Bring Your Own Budget)
‘Material States’ at Lévy Gorvy Dayan (@levygorvydayan) until 02 Aug
Sadomasochistic nuns and religious symbolism, male genitalia twinned with fish, bondage, scorpions, a man about to bite the head off a hawk and topless women alongside fully clothed post-war homemakers. There’s not a lot of 50-year-old art that remains as shocking today as it was when it was new, but this immersive gallery takeover of Penny Slinger’s (@pennyslinger) 1977 magnum opus ‘The Exorcism’, including modern multimedia additions, is testament to the power and impact of her art. Despite the nudity a casual glance makes it clear that the intention was never to be pornographic, although the actual meanings of the surreal juxtapositions and erotic imagery isn’t always evident. Regardless, the frequently unsettling visuals are so, so compelling.
‘Exorcism: Inside Out’ is at Richard Saltoun (@richardsaltoungallery) until 07 Sep
It’s hard to believe that tradesmen used to do their job wearing three piece suits and a fancy hat, which makes these rare images of the final few weeks of Tower Bridge construction all the more entertaining. Commissioned by George Edward Wilson Cruttwell, the Resident Engineer, these photographs went unseen for over a century and include shots taken on 9 July 1894, the first day the Bridge opened to the public. Enlarged versions of the colorised images can now be seen on outdoor displays located on three of the piers. If its raining or you live too far away the images are online, along with a lot more info about their discovery and restoration, at heritage.towerbridge.org.uk
If you’d like to learn even more fun facts about London’s most famous bridge, like whether or not it once housed anti-aircraft guns, visit the basement of Guildhall Art Gallery (free) where four window cases have some fascinating images and artefact displays. You might even learn why people used to dress as giant blocks of cheese for the Lord Mayor’s Parade!
‘Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks’ is located on the piers of Tower Bridge (@towerbridge) until 01 Oct
‘Heritage Gallery Exhibition: Tower Bridge’ at Guildhall Art Gallery(@guildhallartlondon) until 19 Sept
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter.